Thursday, March 20, 2014

BAC Awards Greg Taite with Outstanding Angler of 2013

Greg Buttons


Newport Beach, CA – At the Balboa Angling Club Awards Banquet the Outstanding Angler of 2013 was awarded to Greg Taite for the second year in a row.  It was a close race to the finish as he edged out Vick Sommers (Outstanding Angler of 2012) and his buddy Tim Humphrey by a single angler point. 

The Awards Ceremony the club’s button race was heated as a total of 51 buttons were awarded.  Most notably, Jim Duncan who received his button for a Shark Release put him at a total of 70 buttons – the most buttons of any club member.

The Balboa Angling Club also had seven World Records set by members including young Michael Sanford who is now the World Record holder for his 41 lbs. 8 oz. in the Male Small Fry Category.  Pete Binaski set two records for his Barracuda on 12# with a 9 lbs. 8 oz. and on 30# with a 6 lbs. 8 oz. catch.  Bo Nelson also set two World Records for Barracuda on 16# with 6 lbs. and on 20# with a 9 lbs. catch.  Vick Sommers broke another World Record with his 53 lbs. 4 oz. Halibut caught on 12#.  In the Fly Fishing Category for World Records, Jeff Caprine landed another World Record with his 4 lbs. 14 oz. Corbina caught on 2x Tippet.

The First Flags were captured by the following:  Dan Fultz for his 63 lbs. 10 oz. White Seabass caught on January 4, 2013; Greg Taite for his 21 lbs. 2 oz. Yellowtail caught on March 17, 2013; Nate Shill for his 33 lbs. 6 oz. Tuna caught on June 15, 2013; Clarke Smith for his 21 lbs. 1 oz. Dorado caught on July 12, 2013; and finally Bill MacCorkell for his Marlin Release on August 12, 2014.

Also awarded were Annual Trophies.  These are the trophies awarded to the angler who had the highest weight of each species in each line class (they must be at least ½ button weight).  A total of 58 awards were presented at the ceremony.

Fish of the Month was also awarded to the largest fish on any tackle for the month;  January – Dan Fultz White Seabass 63.60 lbs.; February – Vick Sommers Halibut 33.02 lbs.; March – Greg Taite 22.40 lbs. Yellowtail; April Bo Nelson 23.62 lbs. Yellowtail; May – Mike Osgood 54.36 lbs. White Seabass; June – Charlie Albright 61 lbs. White Seabass; July – Vick Sommers 53.27 lbs. Halibut; August – Charlie Albright 156 lbs. Marlin; September – Johnnie Crean 135.50 lbs. Marlin; October – Tim Humphrey 3.08 lbs. Calico Bass; November – Greg Taite 3.16. lbs. Sand Bass; December no fish were weighed in.

A total of 5 Club Records were broken with Dan Fultz’ White Seabass 63.60 lbs. on 80#; Dave Elm’s Halibut 44.67 lbs. on 30#; Charlie Abright’s White Seabass 61 lbs. on 12#; Vick Sommers’ Halibut 40.50 lbs. on 8#; Vick Sommers’ Halibut 53.47 lbs. on 12#.

Special Trophies were awarded to Dan Fultz for The First Member to Break a Club Record with his 63 lbs. 10 oz. White Seabass caught on January 4, 2013.  The Most Tagged/Released Marlin by a Member’s Boat – Kea Kai with 7 releases.  The First Marlin of the Season by a Woman was awarded to Kathy Ecklund.  The Most Tagged and/or Released Marlin went to Charlie Albright with 4 releases.  The Most Species Caught on Fly Tackle was awarded to Jeff Caprine.

All in all it was a great day at the Balboa Angling Club with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s.  The sun was shining on all the members and award winners for the year 2013.  Congratulations to all the BAC Anglers who attended our Annual Awards Banquet.

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